Regulatory Documents
- AASHTO T240 Effect of Heat and Air on a Moving Film of Asphalt (Rolling Thin-Film Oven Test, RTFOT)
- ASTM D2872 Effect of Heat and Air on a Moving Film of Asphalt (Rolling Thin-Film Oven Test)
- EN 12607-1 Bitumen and Bituminous Binders – Determination of the Resistance to Hardening under Influence of Heat and Air – Part 1: RTFOT Method
- DSTU EN 12607-1:2017 Bitumen and Bituminous Binders. Determination of Resistance to Hardening under the Influence of Heat and Air. Part 1. RTFOT Method
The goal of the RTFOT (short-term or technological aging) method is to simulate the impact of manufacturing conditions on bitumen. It evaluates changes in properties during short-term heating and contact with air to predict the material’s behavior during the asphalt concrete laying process and the initial service life of the road pavement.
Test Conditions
- Temperature: Typically 163°C (depending on the bitumen type and standard).
- Aging Time: 75 minutes of sample rotation in the apparatus.
- Airflow Rate: 4000 ml/min (4 L/min) to ensure effective contact between the bitumen and air, simulating oxidation.
After the RTFOT test, changes in the mass of the bitumen sample are determined, allowing for an assessment of the loss of light fractions and the thermal stability of the material. For further analysis, the eight resulting samples are combined and thoroughly mixed. They are then subjected to testing according to the Superpave system (DSR, PAV, and BBR).